Apparatus and method for carrying shopping bags

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed providing a top portion and a bottom portion having a channel. The top portion can be rotated into an open position with respect to the bottom portion to allow a handle of a shopping bag to be placed into the channel. After the handle of the shopping bag has been placed into the channel, the top portion can be rotated into a closed position with respect to the bottom portion to prevent the handle of the shopping bag from being removed from the channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning aids for carrying groceries or other store bought items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various known devices for carrying groceries or store bought items. For example, plastic bags are often provided at grocery stores or supermarkets for carrying purchased items. These plastic bags, when grasped by an individual's fingers, can cut into the individual's fingers. This makes it difficult to carry the plastic bags for any substantial distance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one or more embodiments provides an apparatus comprising a top portion and a bottom portion having a channel. The channel typically has a first end and a second end. The apparatus may include a hinge, wherein the top portion is connected to the bottom portion by the hinge so that the top portion can rotate with respect to the bottom portion. The top portion typically can be rotated into an open position with respect to the bottom portion to allow a handle of a shopping bag to be placed into the channel.

The shopping bag is typically comprised of the handle, and a left arm and a right arm extending from first and second ends of the handle. The left arm and the right arm are connected to a body portion able to carry store items.

The handle of the shopping bag can be placed into the channel so that the left arm of the shopping bag extends downward from a first end of the channel while the right arm of the shopping bag extends downward from a second end of the channel, the second end of the channel opposite the first end. After the handle of the shopping bag has been placed into the channel, the top portion can be rotated into a closed position with respect to the bottom portion to prevent the handle of the shopping bag from being removed from the channel.

The bottom portion and the top portions may each have U-shaped cross sections. The bottom portion and the top portion may both be elongated members. The top portion may have a first attachment device, and the bottom portion may have a second attachment device. The first attachment device and the second attachment device can be used to hold the top portion in a closed state with respect to the bottom portion. When the top portion is placed in a closed position with respect to the bottom portion, a closed curve cross section may be formed by a combination of a U-shaped cross section of the top portion and a U-shaped cross section of the bottom portion.

The top portion and the bottom portion may be made of a rigid material. The apparatus may include the shopping bag. The shopping bag may be made of a lightweight flexible plastic.

A plurality of handles of a corresponding plurality of shopping bags can be placed into the channel of the bottom portion. Each shopping bag may be comprised of a respective handle, a respective left arm and a right arm extending from respective first and second ends of each respective handle, the respective left arm and the respective right arm connected to a respective body portion able to carry store items. Each respective handle can be placed into the channel so that the respective left arm of each shopping bag extends downward from the first end of the channel while the respective right arm of each shopping bag extends downward from a second end of the channel.

The present invention includes a method comprising placing a handle of a shopping bag into a channel of a bottom portion of an apparatus so that a left arm of the shopping bag extends downward from a first end of the channel while a right arm of the shopping bag extends downward from a second end of the channel, the second end of the channel opposite the first end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the apparatus shown in a closed state;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the apparatus shown in an open state;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a shopping bag for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the shopping bag of FIG. 3 placed onto the apparatus of FIG. 1 while the apparatus of FIG. 1 is in an open state; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the shopping bag of FIG. 3 located onto the apparatus of FIG. 1 while the apparatus of FIG. 1 is in a closed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the apparatus 10 shown in a closed state. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10, with the apparatus 10 shown in an open state. The apparatus 10 includes top portion 12 and bottom portion 20. The top portion 12 may be called a lid and may have a semicircular cross section. The bottom portion 20 may be called a body and may have a half oval cross section. The top portion 12 is connected to the bottom portion 20 by a hinge 30. The hinge 30 allows the top portion 12 to rotate with respect to the bottom portion 20 from the closed position of FIG. 1 to the open position of FIG. 2.

The top portion 12 may be a U-shaped member comprised of a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic. In one embodiment the rigid plastic may be able to withstand at least twenty-five pounds without breaking. The bottom portion 20 may also be a U-shaped member typically made of the same rigid material.

The top portion 12 is comprised of an outer surface 12 a, edges 12 b, 12 c, 12 e, and 12 f (shown in FIG. 2), and inner surface 12 d. The edges 12 b and 12 c may be rounded. The top portion 12 has a designation 11 printed on the outer surface 12 a. The designation 11 may be comprised of protruding letters which may protrude, for example, 1/16 of an inch beyond the outer surface 12 a. The designation 11 may specify the name of a supermarket and the term “Shoppers”. The designation 11 in FIG. 1 specifies “ACME Shoppers”. The inner surface 12 d is curved and U-shaped and forms a U-channel 16. The bottom portion 20 is comprised of an outer surface 20 a, edges 20 b, 20 c, 20 e, and 20 f (shown in FIG. 2), and an inner surface 20 d. The inner surface 20 d is curved and U-shaped and forms a channel 26. The edges 20 b and 20 c may be rounded. The bottom portion 20 (or the edges 20 b or 20 c) may have a thickness of from 1/16 to 3/16 of an inch The top portion 12 (or the edges 12 b and 12 c) may also have a thickness of 1/16 to 3/16 of an inch.

The top portion 12 has a device 14 fixed to the outer surface 12 a. The bottom portion 20 has a device 24 fixed to the outer surface 20 a. The devices 14 and 24 can connect together to hold the apparatus 10 in the closed state of FIG. 1. Devices 14 and 24 may include surfaces 14 a and 24 a (shown in FIG. 2) which when brought in contact, attach together to hold the apparatus 10 in the closed state of FIG. 1. The devices 14 and 24 can be detached from each other to change the apparatus 10 from the closed state of FIG. 1 to the open state of FIG. 2. The devices 14 and 24 may connect together in any manner, such as by hooks, magnets, hooks and loops, or VELCRO (trademarked). The devices 14 and 25 may be round and may clip together when brought together.

In the closed state the top portion 12 and the bottom portion 20 form a cavity 40, which includes a combination of the channels 16 and 26. A closed curve cross section is formed as shown by the combination of edges 12 b and 20 b.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a shopping bag 100 for use with the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the shopping bag 100 placed onto the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 while the apparatus 10 is in an open state. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the shopping bag 100 of FIG. 3 located onto the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 while the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is in a closed state.

The shopping bag 100 may be a thin lightweight flexible plastic bag as typically used in grocery stores or supermarkets. The shopping bag 100 may include a handle 102 connected to arms 104 and 106. The arms 104 and 106 are connected to a body portion 110. The shopping bag 100 includes a cavity or chamber 122, which is surrounded by walls 112, 114, 116, and 118, and bottom 120. One or more store items can be inserted into the cavity or chamber 122 and held inside the chamber 122 and inside the bag 100. The handle 102, arms 104 and 106 and body portion 110 surround an opening 130 through which an individual's fingers can be inserted in order to grasp the handle 102 and pick up the bag 100 and one or more inserted store items in the cavity or chamber 122.

In operation, an individual would insert various items purchased or about to be purchased at a store into the cavity or chamber 122 of the shopping bag 100. The individual would then place the handle 102 of the bag 100 into the channel 26 of the bottom portion 20 of the apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 4, while the apparatus 10 is in an open state. The handle 102 is placed so that the arm 104 extends downward from one end of the channel 26 while the arm 106 extends downward from the other end of the channel 26. The top portion 12 can then be rotated with respect to the bottom portion 20 to close the apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 5. The device 14 can also be attached to the device 24 to keep the apparatus 10 in the closed state as shown in FIG. 5, and to hold the handle 102 of the bag inside the chamber 40 formed in apparatus 10. The individual can then insert one or more fingers of his or her hand, such as fingers 202, 204, 206, and 208 of hand 200 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5), through the opening 130 and grasp the apparatus 10 around the outer surfaces 12 a and 20 a. The hand 200 includes a thumb 210 which may also be used to grasp the apparatus 10. The individual can then pick up the apparatus 10 and thereby pickup the bag 100.

The apparatus 10 can be used to carry more than one shopping bag, such as a plurality of shopping bags identical to shopping bag 100. Each of the plurality of shopping bags would typically have a handle similar to handle 102, which typically would be inserted into the channel 26 of the bottom portion 20 in the same manner as shopping bag 100.

The handle 102 of the shopping bag 100 can alternatively be inserted into the channel 16 of the top portion 12 and then the bottom portion 20 can be closed onto the top portion 12. The devices 14 and 24 can thereafter be connected together.

The apparatus 10 is designed to promote shopping. The apparatus 10 can be made of lightweight, resistant, and rigid plastic. The apparatus 10 prevents the handles of shopping bags, such as the handle 102 of shopping bag 100, from cutting into an individual's fingers. Apparatus 10 also may help to keep an individual's shopping bags together to eliminate the possibility of losses. Apparatus 10 is ergonomic and fashionable and may come in different colors for different companies or supermarkets. The apparatus 10, including designation 11, may be used as a versatile, low-cost marketing tool (such as for ACME supermarkets or stores) that shoppers may keep and reuse over time.

The hinge 30 may be a live hinge, which may be molded into place. The hinge 30 may be a pin hinge, a spring hinge, a rubber hinge, or any other type of hinge. As shown in FIG. 2, the distance between edges 20 e and 20 f may be D1, which may be about ¾ of an inch. Similarly, the distance between edges 12 e and 12 f may be D1, which may be about ¾ of any inch.

The designation 11 of “ACME Shoppers” can be placed on either surface 12 a or 20 a or both. The designation 11 can be molded on, painted on, glued on or placed on with stickers. The apparatus 10 can be made of plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, wood, or any other rigid material. The height H1 of the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, may be, for example, one half to two inches. The length L1 may be, for example, one to four inches. The width D1, shown in FIG. 2, may be, for example, ½ to two inches.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a top portion; a bottom portion having a channel, the channel having a first end and a second end; and a hinge, wherein the top portion is connected to the bottom portion by the hinge so that the top portion can rotate with respect to the bottom portion; and wherein the top portion can be rotated into an open position with respect to the bottom portion to allow a handle of a shopping bag to be placed into the channel, wherein the shopping bag is comprised of the handle, a left arm and a right arm extending from first and second ends of the handle, the left arm and the right arm connected to a body portion able to carry store items; and wherein the handle can be placed into the channel so that the left arm of the shopping bag extends downward from a first end of the channel while the right arm of the shopping bag extends downward from a second end of the channel, the second end of the channel opposite the first end.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein after the handle of the shopping bag has been placed into the channel, the top portion can be rotated into a closed position with respect to the bottom portion to prevent the handle of the shopping bag from being removed from the channel.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion has a U-shaped cross section.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the top portion has a U-shaped cross section.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion is an elongated member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top portion has a first attachment device; the bottom portion has a second attachment device; and wherein the first attachment device and the second attachment device can be used to hold the top portion in a closed state with respect to the bottom portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein when the top portion is placed in a closed position with respect to the bottom portion, a closed curve cross section is formed by a combination of the U-shaped cross section of the top portion and the U-shaped cross section of the bottom portion.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are made of a rigid material.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the shopping bag.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the shopping bag is made of a lightweight flexible plastic.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of handles of a corresponding to a plurality of shopping bags can be placed into the channel of the bottom portion; wherein each shopping bag is comprised of a respective handle, a respective left arm and a right arm extending from respective first and second ends of each respective handle, the respective left arm and the respective right arm connected to a respective body portion able to carry store items; and wherein each respective handle can be placed into the channel so that the respective left arm of each shopping bag extends downward from the first end of the channel while the respective right arm of each shopping bag extends downward from the second end of the channel.
 12. A method comprising the steps of placing a handle of a shopping bag into a channel of a bottom portion of an apparatus so that a left arm of the shopping bag extends downward from a first end of the channel while a right arm of the shopping bag extends downward from a second end of the channel, the second end of the channel opposite the first end; wherein the handle has a first end connected to the left arm of the shopping bag and a second end, opposite the first end, connected to the left arm of the shopping bag; wherein the left arm and the right arm are connected to a body portion of the shopping bag; and wherein the apparatus includes a top portion, which can be placed in a closed position with respect to the bottom portion to hold the handle of the shopping bag onto the apparatus.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the top portion is connected to the bottom portion by a hinge, so that the top portion can rotate with respect to the bottom portion.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising rotating the top portion with respect to the bottom portion to prevent the handle of the shopping bag from being removed from the channel.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the bottom portion has a U-shaped cross section.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein the top portion has a U-shaped cross section.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the bottom portion is an elongated member.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein the top portion has a first attachment device; the bottom portion has a second attachment device; and wherein the first attachment device and the second attachment device can be used to hold the top portion in a closed state with respect to the bottom portion.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein when the top portion is placed in a closed position with respect to the bottom portion, a closed curve cross section is formed by a combination of the U-shaped cross section of the top portion and the U-shaped cross section of the bottom portion.
 20. The method of claim 12 wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are made of a rigid material.
 21. The method of claim 12 further comprising placing a plurality of handles of a corresponding plurality of shopping bags into the channel of the bottom portion; wherein each shopping bag is comprised of a respective handle, a respective left arm and a right arm extending from respective first and second ends of each respective handle, the respective left arm and the respective right arm connected to a respective body portion able to carry store items; and wherein each respective handle can be placed into the channel so that the respective left arm of each shopping bag extends downward from the first end of the channel while the respective right arm of each shopping bag extends downward from the second end of the channel. 